Securing product storage tanks against unauthorized delivery

ABSTRACT

A system prevents unauthorized delivery of product to a bulk storage tank, allows authorized delivery, and controls the flow of product at a product entry port of the tank. A remote controlled valve includes a disk flap that is displaceable between an opened position and a closed position, and a disk displacement assembly including a motor coupled with the disk flap. The disk displacement assembly includes a lock feature that locks the disk flap in the opened position and the closed position. A controller is cooperable with the disk displacement assembly and controls activation of the motor. The disk displacement assembly includes a spring transmission assembly interposed between the motor and an axle of the disk flap. The spring transmission assembly permits displacement of the motor when the disk flap is blocked in the opened position or the closed position.

This application is the U.S. national phase of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2012/050287 filed 10 Aug. 2012 which designated the U.S. andclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/522,502filed 11 Aug. 2011, the entire contents of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to product delivery control and, moreparticularly, to securing product storage tanks against unauthorizeddelivery.

Retail facilities selling liquid products stored in liquid storage tanks(e.g., gas stations) are located throughout the world. In the case ofpetroleum, products are stored in bulk storage tanks, which aretypically located underground. Each tank stores a unique petroleumproduct (e.g., gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc.) to be dispensed throughpump-dispensers at various retail facilities. The delivery of petroleumproducts (hereinafter, fuel) to retail facilities is conducted by agravity drop from a compartment in a tanker truck. These tanker trucksare themselves loaded for delivery from larger tank systems located atwholesale distribution centers.

Preventing unauthorized fuel delivery is desirable for automotive fuelbrands to maintain their brand products' exclusivity in the franchiseretail gas stations, for fuel distributors in order to fulfill theirexclusive relationships with retail gas stations, and to preventcontamination or improper mixing of fuel products. A business goal offuel distributors is to minimize unauthorized deliveries whilemaximizing the efficiency of authorized delivery operations.Unauthorized deliveries may take place at a time of fuel pricefluctuations. When prices go down, the owner of a retail gas stationmight be tempted to purchase fuel from a freelance distributor at alower price, breaching the long-term supply contract with a distributor.

Typically, distributors keep close track of their customers' inventory,but in practice, even with well monitored retail gas stations,distributors report that unauthorized deliveries cause them a loss of2-20% of their total business. That is a loss of between $1.75 millionand $17.5 million PER DAY for authorized distributors in the UnitedStates during the first six months of 2011 (calculation based on datafrom the Prime Supplier Report and the U.S. Energy InformationAdministration, which report that in the first half of 2011, totalgasoline sales and deliveries was approximately 350 million gallons perday with an average distributor's margin of $0.25 per gallon).

Current methods for preventing unauthorized delivery of liquid cargointo a storage tank includes the collection and comparison ofpoint-in-time storage tank levels, storage volume history and deliveryrecords for a retail station. If a deviation is found, the dealerrepresentative works with the retail station manager to investigate andcorrect the situation. This method fails to prevent unauthorizeddelivery because (a) it is post factum and, under the circumstances, itis difficult to prove wrongdoing, (b) an investigation typically has anegative effect on the distributor-customer relationship, (c) it iscostly, and (d) it doesn't provide a means to prevent product-typecontamination due to human error.

Remote controlled valves have been previously used in other industries(e.g., water irrigation system), but have not been suitable for fuel orother industrial liquid products because (a) they do not support bulkliquid drops at very low hydrostatic pressure, (b) they are noteffective for bidirectional flow, (c) they are hard to use in aflammable explosive environment, (d) they are not suited for batteryoperation due to energy consumption, and (e) they are typicallyunreliable, expensive, and difficult to use. The RCVs used herein aresuitable for allowing rapid bulk-liquid drops at any hydrostaticpressure, supporting bi-directional liquid flow and handling flammableliquids securely, including supporting ongoing maintenance, inspectionand auditing activities without compromising on safety or security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The described embodiments overcome the shortcomings of existing deliverysystems by (a) providing automatic, real-time prevention of unauthorizeddeliveries, (b) eliminating post factum investigations, (c) minimizingthe size of the professional control team, and (d) ensuring the qualityof the delivered product by preventing contamination.

The described embodiments are independent of the delivered product typeand are applicable for any industrial product (liquid or otherwiseflowable, e.g., granular) for which unauthorized delivery orcontamination by improper mixing of product types can occur. Forconvenience, the Detailed Description is provided in terms of fueldistribution, which is a highly applicable market for the describedembodiments. The challenges faced by distributors in the fuel market arealso the same as in other markets, e.g., milk, juice or hazardousagricultural liquids such as fertilizers and pesticides.

In an exemplary embodiment, a remote controlled valve is cooperable witha product entry port. The remote controlled valve includes a disk flapthat is displaceable between an opened position and a closed position,and a disk displacement assembly including a motor coupled with the diskflap. The disk displacement assembly includes a lock feature that locksthe disk flap in the opened position and the closed position. Acontroller is cooperable with the disk displacement assembly andcontrols activation of the motor. The disk displacement assemblyincludes a spring transmission assembly interposed between the motor andan axle of the disk flap. The spring transmission assembly permitsdisplacement of the motor when the disk flap is blocked in the openedposition or the closed position.

In one embodiment, the disk flap is sized relative to the product entryport such that the disk flap does not completely seal the product entryport.

The disk displacement assembly may include a cam plate to which the axleof the disk flap is secured. The cam plate includes a cam slot therein.A cam driver includes a cam pin disposed in the cam slot and is coupledwith the motor via the spring transmission. The motor may be operable todisplace the spring transmission from a relaxed state to a compressedstate regardless of a position of the disk flap. The spring transmissionmay be configured such that a force of the spring transmission in thecompressed state is sufficient to displace the disk flap from/to theopened position to/from the closed position.

The valve may additionally include magnetic switches communicating withthe controller that are positioned relative to the motor and the camplate to detect respective positions of the motor and the disk flap.

The valve may also include a drop elbow sensor communicating with thecontroller. The drop elbow sensor is displaceable by a drop elbowsecured in cooperation with the remote controlled valve. The controllermay be programmed to effect operation of the motor based signals fromthe drop elbow sensor. In this context, the controller may be programmedto operate the remote controlled valve in a service mode in which afterauthorizing operation and activating and releasing the drop elbowsensor, the controller operates the motor to displace the disk flap tothe opened position for a predetermined period of time. In the servicemode, the controller may be programmed to displace the disk flap to theclosed position if a drop elbow is secured to the product entry port.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system that prevents unauthorizedproduct delivery to a product container including a product entry portincludes the noted remote controlled valve cooperable with the productentry port, where the remote controlled valve provides selective accessto the product container, and a command control unit cooperable with adelivery source that is programmed to establish authorized communicationwith the controller of the remote controlled valve and to effectauthorized operation of the remote controlled valve. The command controlunit may be programmed to effect delivery of the product by opening theremote controlled valve via the communication with the controller. Thesystem may include a plurality of remote controlled valves cooperablewith a corresponding plurality of product containers and product entryports. In this context, the command control unit may include visualdisplay and an audible alarm, where the command control unit isprogrammed to activate an alarm via at least one of the visual displayand the audible alarm when (1) there are more than one of the remotecontrolled valves with the disk flap in the opened position, (2) aproduct type from the delivery source does not match a product type inone of the product containers to which the delivery source is connected,and (3) a product acknowledgement switch has not been activated.

In one embodiment, the command control unit is positioned in a cab of atanker truck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a general overview of the system;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart describing the method and process for initializingand installing the RCV;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing the method and process for initializingand installing the CCU;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the method and process for authorizingdelivery of petroleum products at a retail gas station using the systemof the described embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an authorized delivery audible alerts state diagram;

FIG. 6 is a front-panel illustration CCU;

FIG. 7 is a physical view of the RCV installed in a spill container;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the RCV components and locking mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the CCU;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the RCV;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the PTDU; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of the PTDU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes methods, systems, computer software and productsassociated with securing storage tanks against the unauthorized transferof flowable product from delivery vehicles (e.g., tanker trucks and railcars) or the unauthorized loading of products from a storage tank into adelivery vehicle.

With reference to the drawings, the system is comprised generally of aremote controlled valve (hereinafter, RCV), which is installed at theentry port of a liquid storage tank 210 and controls liquid flow into orout of the liquid storage tank 200. A command and control unit(hereinafter, CCU) 120 is installed in the cabin 110 of a tanker truck100 or in a handheld mobile device, which controls the delivery processand includes product type push buttons that open the RCV to full flow.Other components include a visual display 120-2, embedded audible alarm120-3 to report on delivery status, RCV status, and system errorindicator 102-5. A tanker has several compartments, each containing aspecific product. Product type display units (hereinafter, PTDUs) 160are installed next to each compartment dispensing port 130. The PTDU 160is manually set at the fuel depot station by the delivery person, whichtypically is the tanker truck driver, to display the type of product inthe associated compartment (e.g., diesel, regular gasoline, etc.) at thetime of product loading with optional active components that willcommunicate the product type to the CCU. The product type push buttoncan be also embedded in the PTDU 160-2. Each RCV carries savedinformation about the storage tank volume and product type. The deliveryperson will be required to confirm that the product type for delivery isthe same type as the one in the storage tank prior to the delivery bypressing the correct fuel type push button. Alternatively, this processcan be replaced by an automatic process with a front end interface 160-5(RF or wired), assuming the information about each compartment producttype will be stored during the loading time at the fuel depot by meansof retrieving the fuel depot loading arms at the time of loading.

A communication link between the CCU and the RCV ensures that only apre-authorized CCU is granted access privileges to unload fuel into aliquid storage tank.

Operational Process

An RCV is prepared and installed in accordance with the process, methodand computer program shown in FIG. 2. After initializing the RCV (S1),operational information for each RCV is registered in the logisticscenter database 300 (FIG. 1) (S2). The RCV is programmed with an RCVunique ID number, an operational password, gas station locations, fueltype, tank volume, and administrative password, etc. (S3). Subsequently,the operational information from the logistics center database is loadedin the RCV database (S4). The RCV is then installed at the entry port ofthe underground tank at the gas station in compliance with its embeddeddata (S5).

The RCV is mechanically compatible for integration with common top sealadaptors and is installed at the entry port of the fuel storage tank.After installation, access to the storage tank is blocked and can beopened only in response to an authorized CCU “Open” command.

The CCU is initialized at the logistics center and installed in thetanker's cabin or in a mobile hand-held terminal. The preparation andimplementation is achieved in accordance with the process, method andcomputer program shown in FIG. 3. CCU initialization is started in stepS10, and the operational information for each CCU is registered in thelogistics center database (S11). Operational data includes CCU IDnumber, truck ID, a list of served gas stations with RCV ID numbers andassociated passwords, etc. (S12). The CCU's database is loaded with theoperational information from the logistics center database (S13), andthe CCU is installed in the truck cabin and operation is validated(S14).

The Logistics Center provides a unique identification code for each RCVand CCU. At the time of installation, the CCU is loaded with a list ofgas stations' passwords where that tanker is certified for delivery. Thepasswords are loaded into the CCU's non-volatile memory and thereforeprotected against power failure.

When at least one tanker and at least one liquid storage tank areinstalled, system operations can begin in accordance to the processshown in FIG. 4, which shows the step-by-step operational procedures ofthe invention.

CCU

The CCU enables the delivery person to monitor and open RCVs at the timeof fuel delivery. The delivery person can only open RCVs that areauthorized for specific tanks at specific gas stations. The CCU isinstalled in the tanker truck's cabin in a way that is visible andconveniently accessible for the delivery person. FIG. 9 is a schematicblock diagram of the CCU. The electronic circuitry is comprised of aFront End Interface 120-7 (RF or wired), RISC μP system 120-6 loadedwith an operational program and database, a Power System 120-5, whichreceives its power from the tanker truck's battery; and a front panelthat is comprised of visual indicators 120-2 and an audible alarm 120-3.

The CCU is turned on at the retail gas station. Once operational with acommunications medium (RF or Wired) in place, the CCU starts searchingfor RCVs, and the operational process proceeds according to FIG. 4.

PTDU

The PTDU 160 (FIG. 11) is installed on the tanker truck next to eachcompartment dispensing port. The basic PTDU is a mechanical indicator,widely used today in the fuel delivery industry and set by the driver atthe fuel depot to remind him the type of product that was loaded intothe specific compartment. The PTDU discussed in this invention is anoptional accessory to the CCU, and it is comprised of (1) a display160-10 showing the product type stored in the linked compartment, (2) aselection knob 160-1 for selecting the product type to display at thetime of product loading, and (3) a push button 160-2 via a powerconverter 160-3 that sends a command to the CCU to open or close the RCValong with the product type shown on the display. The CCU could also beimplemented in a mobile hand-held device. Also, the fuel type pushbuttons can be installed at the PTDU, which is operationally convenient,and in which case it will constitute a “distributed” CCU.

RCV

The RCV is a low-power electromechanical valve system, controlled by anauthorized CCU, and designed to work with petroleum products and otherhazardous liquids. The RCV is installed at the entry port of anunderground liquid storage tank. In the gas station application, it isinstalled inside a spill container 210-19, screwed in between the bottomof the spill container at one end and a top seal adaptor at the otherend.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the RCV's physical layout, and FIG. 10 is a schematicblock diagram. The RCV's mechanical parts are comprised from a disk flap210-10. The flap can be in an opened (90°) position or closed (0°)position (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). The flap is connected at its axisto a shaft or axle 210-11. The shaft provides a lock mechanism for theflap when it is in opened or closed positions and also has two magnets210-12 that pull ferromagnetic read switches 210-13 to report that theflap is opened, closed or half way open. The shaft is moved by a cam210-14 that is connected to a small electric motor 210-18 through aspring transmission 210-20 that preserves the energy in case ofmechanical obstruction to the flap to allow the motor to shut down,while waiting for the mechanical obstruction to be removed. The axle210-11 of the disk flap is secured to a cam plate 210-14, which includesa cam slot therein. A cam driver includes a cam pin disposed in the camslot. The cam pin and slot arrangement serves to lock the disk flap ineither the closed position or the opened position. A motor arm 210-15 isconnected to the other side of the transmission spring and is alsoequipped with a magnet 210-16 that activates ferromagnetic read switches210-17 to indicate a max position of the motor, and power to the motorcan be shut down. In use, the cam driver is coupled with the motor viathe spring transmission. The motor is operable to displace the springtransmission from a relaxed state to a compressed state regardless of aposition of the disk flap. The spring transmission is configured suchthat a force of the spring transmission in the compressed state issufficient to displace the disk flap from/to the opened position to/fromthe closed position.

With reference to FIG. 10, electronic parts of the RCV include an RF orwired Front End Interface 210-7, μP system 210-9 loaded with anoperational program and database, and a valve 210-2, whose open/closedstatus is controlled by a low-power drive 210-3. The low power drive isactivated by an electrical command sent from the RISC μP following arequest from an authorized CCU. The RCV is powered by an internalbattery 210-6.

Operational Process

The system has two modes of operations: (a) Delivery Mode and (b)Service mode. In the delivery mode, the RCV's drop elbow sensor 210-1detects a drop elbow 150 attached to the top seal adaptor for more thanfew seconds steadily. The RCV internal circuitry is activated, and thesystem attempts to establish communication with the CCU. The deliveryprocess is performed according to FIG. 4 (described below).

In the service mode, the valve may be opened for a limited time formaintenance purposes, e.g., measuring liquid level using a measuringrod. The maintenance person will have a service version of the CCU thatwould allow opening the valve for a short time. The service modeoperational process is described in FIG. 4.

Valve

The valve is normally closed, with liquid flow blocked. No power isrequired to hold the valve in this position. The valve is bi-directionalfor liquid flow. A closed valve, however, is capable to allow controlledleakage into the underground. This can be accomplished by the sizeand/or shape of the valve relative to the product entry port. Thiscapability is required to allow a return of a fuel sample taken foranalysis purposes, without requiring opening the valve. This rate ofcontrolled leakage should be low enough to cause no product mixingissues in the delivery mode if by mistake somebody is trying to deliverthe wrong fuel type.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show operational processes relating to product deliverywith the system of the described embodiments. With reference to FIG. 4,delivery is started in step S20, and a tanker truck 100 arrives at thegas station with a delivery order and parks next to the station's fueltank entry ports (S21). The delivery person uncovers and connects thevapor return port to the tanker vapor return port (S22). The storagetank entry port is uncovered, the cap is removed, and the drop elbow isconnected to the top seal adapter to connect the 4″ hose 140 between thetanker's compartment API and top seal adapters (S23). If the RCV sensesthe drop elbow transition (YES in S24), the RCV with drop elbowconnected enters into active mode and sends its location and ID to theCCU (S25). After receiving the RCV's location and ID, if the RCV is onthe CCU's authorized list (YES in S26), the CCU sends the location'spassword to the RCV (S27). If the RCV is not on the CCU's authorizedlist (NO in S26), the RCV returns to sleep mode (S28), and the processreturns to step S24. In step S24, if the RCV does not detect the dropelbow transition (NO in S24), the RCV remains closed, and its electroniccircuitry stays in sleep mode (S29). The system then waits until thedrop elbow transition is detected.

The RCV determines whether the password from the CCU is correct, and ifso (YES in S30), the system determines whether a time period that thedrop elbow switch was on was less than a preset period, e.g., 3 seconds(S42). If so, (YES in S42), the system opens the valve in the servicemode (S43) and closes the valve (S44) if the drop elbow switch is on orif the service mode time delay has passed. If the time period that thedrop elbow switch is on is long (NO in S42), the system checks whetherany other RCV is in active delivery (S31) with a fuel type that isdifferent from the one requested by the CCU (the system can allow formore than one delivery at the same time if the fuel type (or product) ofthe second delivery is identical to the active delivery and alsoassuming that the CCU has an additional fuel type indicator and pushbutton (i.e., “resources”) for that type of fuel). If so (YES in S31),the system waits until the active delivery for the other RCV iscompleted (S45). If the password is incorrect (NO in S30), the processreturns to step S28, and the RCV returns to sleep mode. If there are noother RCVs in active delivery (NO in S31), the system checks whether theCCU has enough resources to manage the delivery (S46). If not (NO inS46), the process goes to step S45, and if so (YES in S46), the CCUdisplay blinks a product type LED red, and an audible alarm alerts thatthe RCV is closed (S32). The delivery person verifies that the blinkingproduct-type LED matches the product type displayed on the PTDU andpresses the fuel type pushbutton to start delivery (S33). If therequested product type matches the RCV product type (YES in S34), theCCU issues an “open valve” command to the RCV, turns off the audiblealarm and visual alert, turns the product type LED to solid green, andproduct delivery commences (S35). If the requested product type does notmatch the RCV product type (NO in S34), a rejection tone sounds (S36)and the process returns to step S32.

Upon completion of delivery, the delivery person disconnects the dropelbow (S37). With the drop elbow disconnected, the RCV wakes up andsends a completion message to the CCU and begins a countdown (e.g., oneminute) to close the valve (S38). If a “close” command from the CCU isreceived or the countdown limit is completed (YES in S39), the RCV isclosed and enters the sleep mode (S40). The system waits for a “close”command from the CCU or completion of the time out period. In step S41,the system checks whether a drop elbow is connected, and if not (NO inS41), delivery is complete. If a drop elbow is connected (YES in S41),the process returns to step S25.

FIG. 5 illustrates operational processes relating to alert sounds by theCCU to notify the delivery person on exceptions that occur during theunloading process. As shown, several conditions will activate the alarm,and the alarm may be provided with varying tones to signify differenterrors, problems or successes. For example, with reference to FIG. 5,with a drop elbow engaged, the alarm may sound a drop elbow engagedtone. An error tone may be sounded if an error condition is detected,and an alarm tone may be sounded if an alarm condition is detected. Thealarm may similarly include warning beats when the RCV is closed withthe drop elbow engaged. After a user requests that the valve be opened,if the request is accepted, the alarm can sound an “acceptance” tone;otherwise, the alarm can sound a “rejection” tone. At that time, if thedrop elbow is removed, the buzzer/alarm is silenced. If the drop elbowremains detected, the RCV closed warning beeps continue until an openvalve request is accepted.

The CCU is also designed to collect RCV maintenance and operationalstatus at the station and will store that data in its internal memory tosupport product maintenance.

The invention and the operational process described above result inincreased distributor revenue, improved product quality, the eliminationof improper-product delivery, and insurance cost savings.

The described system serves to prevent the unauthorized delivery ofproduct, allow authorized delivery, and control the flow of product atthe entry port of a bulk storage tank. The system prevents anunauthorized delivery vehicle that is hauling a product from loading orunloading cargo while enabling an authorized delivery vehicle to unloador load authorized cargo with minimal interruption. The describedembodiments are most preferably deployed in the area of fueldistribution, but the embodiments are equally applicable to any otherproduct that involves controlling the transfer of product into or out ofa bulk storage tank and a delivery vehicle, such as a tanker truck orrail car.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote controlled valve cooperable with aproduct entry port, the remote controlled valve comprising: a disk flapcovering the product entry port that is displaceable between an openedposition and a closed position; a disk displacement assembly including amotor coupled with the disk flap, the disk displacement assemblyincluding a lock feature that locks the disk flap in the opened positionand the closed position; and a controller cooperable with the diskdisplacement assembly and controlling activation of the motor, whereinthe disk displacement assembly includes a spring transmission assemblyinterposed between and acting between the motor and an axle of the diskflap, the spring transmission assembly permitting displacement of themotor when the disk flap is blocked in the opened position or the closedposition.
 2. A remote controlled valve according to claim 1, wherein thedisk flap is sized relative to the product entry port such that the diskflap does not completely seal the product entry port.
 3. A remotecontrolled valve according to claim 1, wherein the disk displacementassembly comprises: a cam plate to which the axle of the disk flap issecured, the cam plate including a cam slot therein; and a cam driverincluding a cam pin disposed in the cam slot, the cam driver beingcoupled with the motor via the spring transmission assembly.
 4. A remotecontrolled valve according to claim 3, wherein the motor is operable todisplace the spring transmission assembly from a relaxed state to acompressed state regardless of a position of the disk flap.
 5. A remotecontrolled valve according to claim 4, wherein the spring transmissionassembly is configured such that a force of the spring transmissionassembly in the compressed state is sufficient to displace the disk flapfrom/to the opened position to/from the closed position.
 6. A remotecontrolled valve according to claim 3, further comprising magneticswitches communicating with the controller, the magnetic switches beingpositioned relative to the motor and the cam plate to detect respectivepositions of the motor and the disk flap.
 7. A remote controlled valveaccording to claim 1, further comprising a drop elbow sensorcommunicating with the controller, the drop elbow sensor beingdisplaceable by a drop elbow secured in cooperation with the remotecontrolled valve.
 8. A remote controlled valve according to claim 7,wherein the controller is programmed to effect operation of the motorbased signals from the drop elbow sensor.
 9. A remote controlled valveaccording to claim 8, wherein the controller is programmed to operatethe remote controlled valve in a service mode in which after authorizingoperation and activating and releasing the drop elbow sensor, thecontroller operates the motor to displace the disk flap to the openedposition for a predetermined period of time.
 10. A remote controlledvalve according to claim 9, wherein in the service mode, if a drop elbowis secured to the product entry port, the controller is programmed todisplace the disk flap to the closed position.
 11. A system thatprevents unauthorized product delivery to a product container includinga product entry port, the system comprising: a remote controlled valvecooperable with the product entry port, the remote controlled valveproviding selective access to the product container and comprising: adisk flap covering the product entry port that is displaceable betweenan opened position and a closed position, a disk displacement assemblyincluding a motor coupled with the disk flap, the disk displacementassembly including a lock feature that locks the disk flap in the openedposition and the closed position, and a controller cooperable with thedisk displacement assembly and controlling activation of the motor,wherein the disk displacement assembly includes a spring transmissionassembly interposed between and acting between the motor and an axle ofthe disk flap, the spring transmission assembly permitting displacementof the motor when the disk flap is blocked in the opened position or theclosed position; and a command control unit cooperable with a deliverysource, the command control unit being programmed to establishauthorized communication with the controller of the remote controlledvalve and to effect authorized operation of the remote controlled valve.12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the command control unit isprogrammed to effect delivery of the product by opening the remotecontrolled valve via the communication with the controller.
 13. A systemaccording to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of remotecontrolled valves cooperable with a corresponding plurality of productcontainers and product entry ports, wherein the command control unitcomprises a visual display and an audible alarm, the command controlunit being programmed to activate an alarm via at least one of thevisual display and the audible alarm when (1) there are more than one ofthe remote controlled valves with the disk flap in the opened position,(2) a product type from the delivery source does not match a producttype in one of the product containers to which the delivery source isconnected, and (3) a product acknowledgement switch has not beenactivated.
 14. A system according to claim 11, wherein the commandcontrol unit is positioned in at least one of a cab of a tanker truck, amobile hand-held terminal, and embedded in a PTDU.
 15. A systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the disk flap is sized relative to theproduct entry port such that the disk flap does not completely seal theproduct entry port.